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Resident urges Planning Board review after bright exterior lights installed at short‑term rental; town staff report several STR applications
Summary
A Springfield resident said exterior lights at a neighboring short‑term rental are intrusive and remain on dusk‑to‑dawn; the Board noted Tyler Rowley’s lighting map and referred the matter to the Planning Board as staff work on amended STR site‑plan requirements.
Sandy Burke told the Board of Selectmen on Oct. 27 that exterior lighting installed at a neighboring short‑term rental is causing light trespass onto her property and is active "from dusk to dawn, whether there are occupants or not." Burke said she had contacted the property owner (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Rowley), presented photos to the Board, and asked that the Planning Board consider a site visit and review.
Jen Roberts read the short‑term rental approval conditions recorded in the file, noting that the approval requires dark‑sky compliant, downward‑facing fixtures to reduce light trespass. The Board acknowledged receipt of Tyler Rowley’s outdoor‑lighting map and said the Planning Board will be asked to determine enforcement steps and whether the lighting as installed meets conditions of approval.
Zoning Coordinator and Health Officer Tim Bray presented a report listing several short‑term rental properties at various stages of review: Saggese (30 Winding Wood Rd.) currently not renting and needing a Site Plan Review/Conditional Use Permit (STR‑CUP); Concha (115 Woodcrest Rd.) denied by the Planning Board for lack of information and expected to re‑submit; Andre Keplar (10 Winding Wood Rd.) approved by ZBA with conditions and preparing a STR‑CUP; Anthony Pavati (140 Woodcrest) has a special exception on record; and Cahill (150 Woodcrest) is preparing an application. Bray also said the town needs to amend the Site Plan Review application for STR‑CUPs and staff are working on amended Site Plan Regulations including contract and violations sections in response to a state RSA amendment.
The Board did not impose enforcement action at the meeting; members said the Planning Board will revisit the lighting complaint and the town will update its STR site‑plan procedures at upcoming meetings.
